Monitoring of the Streetspace programme

Caroline Russell: How are you and London boroughs monitoring outcomes of the Streetspace programme?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is assessing Streetspace Programme outcomes at:
Boroughs outline their monitoring approaches in their Streetscape Programme submissions and an allocation of funds is made accordingly. TfL is working with boroughs to ensure that monitoring approaches are aligned as far as possible.
Data that TfL collects includes traffic volumes, general traffic speeds, bus speeds, bus patronage, counts and surveys of cyclists and pedestrians, safety and quality of public realm.
Measures are being put in place to understand the programme’s implications for equality and inclusion. TfL will also set baselines to allow the long-term public health outcomes to be tracked.
TfL and boroughs are also seeking and reviewing feedback from members of the public.

Andrew Adonis (1)

Tony Devenish: Do you agree with Andrew Adonis that there needs to be new mayoral messaging, with "only travel on public transport if you absolutely must" changed to "public transport is safe, just keep your distance as far as possible"?

The Mayor: In line with Government guidance, Transport for London (TfL) has evolved its messaging away from ‘avoiding’ public transport to encouraging people to travel outside the busier times and this is proving successful in enabling ridership to steadily increase. TfL is now operating a near normal level of service across its network. It continues to promote social distancing and the wearing of face coverings for the duration of all journeys. It also continues to take steps to make public transport in London as safe as possible through its enhanced cleaning regime. This includes the use of additional hospital grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact; new anti-viral disinfectant that protects for up to 30 days; key interchanges being cleaned more frequently – including during the day; and all regular ‘touch point’ areas on buses, such as poles and doors, being wiped down with a strong disinfectant every day. In addition, 1,000 hand sanitizer points have been distributed across the network

Use of Ethylene glycol

Caroline Pidgeon: Does TfL consider the use of Ethylene glycol a suitable chemical for TfL contractors to use if they are undertaking maintenance work along London Underground lines? If it is considered a suitable chemical what measures would be expected in terms of storage and disposal of unused amounts of the chemical?

The Mayor: Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) is sprayed onto conductor rails by our trains during periods of cold weather to prevent ice build-up between rails and the trains. When mixed 50:50 with water its freezing point drops to about -56°C. This mixing takes place in maintenance depots using specialist equipment that prevent spillage, supervised by competent staff under controlled conditions. Transport for London’s (TfL’s) newly modernised Neasden depot has a new advanced automated system which detects leakage during fluid transfer and isolates the whole facility. Modern train fleets also incorporate technology to prevent leakage as standard.
All London Underground lines that operate on the surface currently use MEG, with typically 1/3 of each train fleet equipped to deliver MEG as they run over the track. Laying rate is approximately 1.2ml per metre of conductor rail (2.4ml total as it’s sprayed onto both positive and negative rails), and TfL timetable approximately six train passes before it is re-laid. TfL has assessed the risk to the environment posed by MEG and concluded it to be negligible owing to the very small quantities laid on track. Indeed, very little has been used by London Underground trains over recent years owing to the mild winters.
As a responsible organisation, TfL reviews the products it uses and the markets that supply them, in order to identify and use products with better environmental performance. Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) based products potentially do not need to be laid as frequently and so could perform better. A company making PEG is about to undertake some trials with RSSB and Network Rail, and TfL will be reviewing the outcomes of these trials with interest. Should TfL move to the new type of de-icer, it would use up all existing stocks of MEG rather than dispose of it.

Data on use of transport by mode

Caroline Russell: In your press release of 6 May 2020, you said that London risks grinding to a halt if even a small proportion of people switch from using public transport to cars. Could you provide data on the use in London of car, taxi, cycle, tube, tram and bus each day from 1 March 2020.

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London to prepare this analysis for you. They will provide an update to this response once this work is complete.

Funding of schemes under the Streetspace programme

Caroline Pidgeon: The Guardian journalist Laura Laker has been publishing details of the rounds of funding that London Boroughs have received from Streetspace funding initiatives, but this detailed information appears to not be publicly available. Please set out how TfL has disseminated information about the rounds of funding for the Streetspace programme and provide an explanation as to why this information was not routinely published on TfL’s website?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has provided weekly updates on successful bids for London Streetspace funding to borough officers, followed by a full list of the financial allocations to the Heads of Transport in all the boroughs. Information was also provided to journalists who had requested this information by the TfL Press Office.
It’s not established practice to provide detailed breakdown of finances and individual schemes on the TfL website. However, TfL has now published this information on its website and it can be accessed via the link below: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/boroughs-and-communities/borough-funding

Cycle Parking

Alison Moore: There will be higher demand for cycle parking, especially in town centres. Will the Mayor consider installing cycle stands on the carriageway, not the pavement, where it is safe to do so, so as not to inconvenience pedestrians and encourage the London’s boroughs to do the same?

The Mayor: I am committed to supporting Londoners to be able to park their cycles securely and to providing more cycle parking across London. Please see Mayor’s Question 2020/1618.
To respond to higher demand, Transport for London (TfL) has already installed 260 new cycle parking spaces along the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and plans to install over 1000 additional spaces in summer 2020. As part of the Streetspace for London plan, TfL is actively reviewing space allocation on the TLRN to facilitate social distancing and promote walking and cycling. Provision of cycle parking is part of this review process and TfL will continue to identify new sites where possible.
TfL already encourages boroughs to consider provision of cycle parking on the carriageway, as mentioned in the Cycle Parking Implementation Plan and Cycle Parking Streetspace Borough Guidance. Given the level of demand for infrastructure improvements, TfL has not been able to include dedicated funding for borough cycle parking within the current limited Streetspace for London investment plan but hopes to make a return to offering borough funding later in the year.
TfL has also been engaging with Business Improvement Districts to discuss how the private sector can provide additional bike parking and other cycling facilities to employees and customers as London recovers from the COVID crisis.

ZEC Taxis

Keith Prince: As taxis are mandated by TfL to transition to being zero-emission capable, and given that about 3500 taxi drivers have already made that transition, what more can you do as Mayor to encourage the local authorities to include Taxis in their TfL-funded traffic modelling schemes?

The Mayor: I recognise that taxis are an important mode of transport that provide a key accessible, door-to-door service for Londoners and tourists. To deliver my ambition of zero emission transport, an increase in trips undertaken by walking, cycling and public transport will be required, with all remaining vehicle trips conducted with zero emissions. This includes taxis, which are all expected to be zero emission capable by 2033.
Transport for London (TfL) published borough guidance in September 2019 that sets out how to deliver local Zero Emission Zones (ZEZ) across London to help reduce traffic in the near term by prioritising zero emission vehicles and therefore make way for wider streetscape changes that support active, efficient and sustainable transport. Taxis and private hire vehicles are identified specifically in this guidance and encouraged to be considered during the design of new ZEZs.
However considerable work has been undertaken to assess the key strategic routes used by taxis to inform future scheme development. As an example, on Bishopsgate, TfL is currently implementing a scheme which restricts access along the corridor to buses, walking and cycling (Mon to Friday 7am to 7pm)but ensures that taxi and servicing access is maintained from side routes. Taxis also remain exempt from the Congestion charge and are permitted access to the large majority of bus lanes.
Other schemes such as my Streetspace programme are in development and although no decisions on the proposed schemes have yet been made, TfL anticipates starting to make decisions in the coming weeks.

Bus Lane Hours

Alison Moore: Bus lanes are vital to maintain reliable and quick journeys and they provide good facilities for cycling. Will the Mayor consider extending the hours of operation of bus lanes and the Red Routes on the streets it controls where appropriate and encourage the London boroughs to do the same on their roads?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has recently set out its plans to extend the hours of operation of bus lanes on the Transport for London Road Network that do not currently operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a view to increasing the operational hours of as many of these as possible. TfL will shortly be approaching London boroughs and other key stakeholders to share its proposals and will work with the boroughs to support similar efforts on their own road networks.

Nominee passes (1)

Gareth Bacon: Given TfL’s current financial situation, what is your justification for retaining the nominee pass staff benefit at TfL?

The Mayor: This benefit is a long-standing part of the terms and conditions of Transport for London staff. Passes in their current form have existed since 2002, under successive Mayors. There is no ‘cost’ because the number of journeys, historically, has been a tiny proportion of the 11m Tube and bus journeys made per day, meaning no additional services need to be operated.

Supporting the Vulnerable

Tony Devenish: What is TfL doing to support vulnerable customers and staff across bus and Tube networks?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) offers its customers a Turn-up-and-go service across London Underground, London Overground and most TfL Rail stations, with DLR, Trams and Buses providing a fully step free service. However, TfL has needed to make changes to protect everyone's health. This includes maintaining social distancing when supporting customers with a mobility impairment (for example, by providing manual boarding ramps). If this is not possible then TfL will arrange a special taxi to the nearest accessible point on the customer’s journey. TfL encourages customers to plan step-free routes in advance and check before they travel in case of disruptions or station closures.
A series of recent adjustments have been made to further support vulnerable customers during the COVID-19 crisis. For example, where face coverings are worn and where vulnerable customers would typically rely on lip-reading, TfL has issued guidance to its staff on alternative ways to communicate with passengers that do not require their face covering to be removed, such as communicating via a whiteboard, individual pens and paper or on a device.
TfL has also introduced a downloadable exemption card on its website for vulnerable people or those who cannot wear a mask for health reasons. Customers requiring the exemption that cannot download or print the card have the option of calling to request the card be posted to them.
Please see my responses to 2020/1902 and 2020/1903 for more details on what TfL is doing to support vulnerable customers.

Cycle to Work scheme (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: What is TfL’s estimate of (a) the number of employers based in London, and (b) the number of employees working in London, who are covered by the Cycle to Work scheme?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) does not have a comprehensive overview of the number of businesses or employees who are entitled the Cycle to Work scheme. However, during a recent survey of a limited number of businesses, conducted by TfL, over two thirds of businesses confirmed they offered or intended to offer the Cycle to Work scheme to their employees.

Cycle Hire Scheme (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: Mayoral Decision 2648 on temporary changes to the Congestion Charge proposes to only suspend the Congestion Charge for Christmas Day this year, compared to a suspension over the whole Christmas period (from Christmas Day to New Year) in previous years.

As a measure to encourage people to take up cycling over the Christmas period will you consider complementing the operation of the Congestion Charge over the Christmas period with a repeat of last year’s 24 hours' free access to Santander Cycles throughout the month December and in addition consider the provision of unlimited use of Santander Cycles on specific days in this month?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is always looking at initiatives to encourage cycling at all times of the year. At this stage, TfL is keeping the options of providing free hires over the December festive period under review.

Tree Felling on Tube Lines

Navin Shah: What is TfL’s approach to protecting trees and greenery alongside tube tracks? Under what circumstances are trees removed, and what is the consultation process with residents who live alongside tracks?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor's Questions 2020/1617

Wearing Masks on Public Transport

Tony Devenish: What are you doing to ensure that those travelling on buses or Tube trains wear masks and do not remove them during their journey?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is pleased that the majority of its customers are complying with the advice to wear a face covering on its services unless they are exempt. Compliance levels are at around 90 per cent during the morning peak.
TfL plays regular PA announcements across its public transport network reminding customers to wear masks for their entire journey. It is also running a major communications campaign promoting the wearing of face coverings. It gave out masks at key locations to encourage people into the habit of wearing them. My office is also putting out daily communications to Londoners via social media, reminding them of the importance of wearing face coverings on public transport and in other situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Face coverings on public transport became mandatory on 15 June. After three weeks of extensive communications and engagement activity to make customers aware of the requirement, TfL moved to enforcement on 4 July, taking a more robust approach with customers who don’t comply with the rules and regulations. The police and TfL enforcement officers are deployed to priority locations across the bus and tube network to encourage compliance and carry out enforcement.
In the period between 4 and 19 July, TfL Officers stopped 33,500 customers from using our public transport services until they put on a face covering, with the majority complying. 1,983 were prevented from boarding and 475 were ejected from the service. A total of 109 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) were issued to those refusing to comply. The approach remains that we will only issue FPN as a last resort, with the primary emphasis on achieving compliance.
British Transport Police, who police London’s rail services, including London Underground, London Overground, Trams and Docklands Light Railway are engaging with similar levels of passengers and stopping those without a face covering and who are not exempt, from travelling.

Edgeware Road and Park Lane Data

Tony Devenish: Please provide all the traffic data and air quality readings for Edgware Road and Park Lane that TfL has from 1st January to 30th June 2020.

The Mayor: Indicative air quality monitoring for Park Lane is available from the Breathe London site for the period January-June 2020 (www.breathelondon.org). Analysis of NO2 concentrations for the period indicate that concentrations remain well below pre-coronavirus levels in 2020. The average pre-coronavirus concentration (based on daily means) for January and February was 44µg/m3. Average concentrations for March to June were: 36µg/m3, 31µg/m3, 31µg/m3 and 35µg/m3 respectively. For June this is equivalent to a 20 per cent reduction compared to pre-coronavirus months of January and February.
Indexed traffic count data for Park Lane combined with average speed data across the corridor is appended to this response. This shows the steep reduction in flows and increases in speed in March as lockdown measures were introduced and the increase in vehicle activity from April through to June. At the end of May there was a reduction in traffic flow in the northbound direction on Park Lane and speeds also started to reduce.
Traffic flow, speed and air quality have not returned to their pre-lockdown levels in this area. Longer term analysis also shows that the 6-month average NO2 concentration for January - June 2020 is approximately 30 per cent lower than in 2019.
Transport for London does not hold a complete dataset for the length of Edgeware Road.

Cycle to Work scheme (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: What steps have you taken to promote the increase in take up of the Cycle to Work scheme since May 2016? Will you consider directly writing to a large number of London employers to encourage them to take part in the scheme and to promote participation amongst their employees?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) continues to promote all forms of active travel to Londoners, as an alternative to the private car. Last year, TfL produced the smart commuting toolkit which encourages use of active travel and the Cycle to Work scheme. This document is being updated in light of the Coronavirus crisis and will be promoted to businesses once ready, including membership bodies like the CBI, London First and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as large employers from across the capital. TfL also continues to support businesses who wish to take up Santander Cycles business accounts, which provides employees access to Santander Cycles for a year

Detailed data on children’s journeys to school

Caroline Russell: The regular Travel in London reports do not provide detailed data on children’s journeys to school. Will you provide data since 2010 for journeys to school by mode of transport, broken down by borough and school stage (primary or secondary)?

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London (TfL) to provide you with this data. This request requires significant analysis of the data and TfL will respond as soon as this is complete.

Cycle Hire Scheme (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Ten years after the start of the cycle hire scheme please set out what plans you have to extend the scheme over the next year?Further to your answer to 2019/11987 where you stated “I have asked TfL to work with the London Borough of Southwark to develop detailed plans on the extension of the scheme into the Rotherhithe Peninsula” please set out what progress has been made since then and what progress is expected in the next 12 months.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has set out plans to expand the Santander Cycles scheme to keep up with unprecedented demand. TfL data shows that cycling in the capital has increased significantly in recent weeks, with thousands of Londoners using bikes more often for both leisure and essential travel.
TfL is working hard to keep up with the demand, starting with rolling out eight new docking stations this summer to ensure that more people can use the bikes to get to where they need to be.
Three new docking stations will be built around Clapham Common, improving access to one of southwest London's busiest neighbourhoods and one of the area's biggest green spaces.
TfL has agreed with the London Borough of Southwark to extend the scheme along Cycleway 4 with five additional stations which will connect Tower Bridge Road with Rotherhithe, and one at Canada Water. Following the temporary Safe Stop on all projects due to coronavirus, work has restarted, and TfL has made good progress with regards to permits and agreements. TfL anticipates that the work will be completed this autumn.
A further six docking stations will be built by the end of the year.
TfL is also making 1,700 more Santander Cycle bikes available, bringing the total to more than 14,000 - an increase of nearly 15 per cent and the largest single increase in bikes for the scheme since 2013.

Road Safety Data (1)

Alison Moore: Transport for London – Casualties in Greater London during 2017 factsheet says, “Figures in italics show estimated percentage change in casualties which take into account changes in the reporting of collisions by the police and the introduction of online collision self-reporting. The shaded areas show back estimated figures for the number of serious, slight and all casualties during 2016 and the 2005-09 baseline. Back estimates contain a level of uncertainty and will be refined as more collision data collected using new reporting systems becomes available from the police.” What are the latest back estimates for the 2005-09 average, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016?

The Mayor: The attached file provides figures of back casted serious, slight and all severity personal injury casualties in the GLA Area 2010-2016 and 2005-09.

Taxis and Bus Routes

David Kurten: The 507 and 521 bus routes are the only bus routes which cross either London Bridge or Waterloo Bridge which are zero emissions. However, there are plans to ban diesel London taxis from using both of these bridges. Could the Mayor explain why diesel buses can use both of these bridges, but a diesel taxi can’t?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/2190.

Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf Ferry

Alison Moore: Given an all-electric ferry has been operating in Turku, Finland since April 2017 will you ensure that the new Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf ferry is all-electric?

The Mayor: Owing to the catastrophic impact of coronavirus on Transport for London’s (TfL’s) finances, it has been necessary to pause work on this scheme at the current time, like a number of other much needed-schemes across London.The longer-term future of the project will be considered once TfL’s longer-term funding position is clearer.
All-electric ferries have been one of the options being considered by TfL in developing plans for a new cross-river ferry service between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf. All-electric ferries would be beneficial to local air quality but they come with challenges given the novel technology, the tidal conditions on the River Thames and the desire for a fast, high-frequency service to attract cycling journeys. TfL have been working with experts in ferry design, construction and operation, and reviewing examples from around the world to ensure the new ferries would be as clean as possible while providing a fast and reliable service encouraging more walking and cycling trips.

Metropolitan Line Extension

Alison Moore: In February 2018 City AM reported on an exchange of letters between yourself and Chris Grayling MP/Sajid Javid MP. Can you provide me with a copy of those letters and any further correspondence between you, or the Deputy Mayor for Transport, and the Secretary of State for Transport, relating to the Metropolitan Line Extension?

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London to provide you with copies of all correspondence as requested.